Volunteer Program

With limited staff and so much ground to cover, volunteers are essential to keeping U.S. Army Corps of Engineers parks and campgrounds operational. Throughout the year, both long-term and short-term volunteers go out of their way to help keep West Point Lake clean and beautiful for public use.

Long-Term Opportunities

There are several long-term volunteer opportunities that are available on a seasonal basis for the public to pitch in at West Point Lake. Often times these individuals stay for long durations on a pre-determined full-hookup campsite for free. During the winter season (October - February) positions are available in the volunteer village, beach area Day-Use Parks (winter sitter) and campgrounds (Park Host). During the summer recreation season (March - September) positions are available in the Volunteer Village and beach area Day-Use Parks (Park Host).

Positions in the volunteer village have a more flexible time schedule and jobs duties change based on the needs of surrounding parks, campgrounds and other projects around the lake. Positions at our beach area Day-Use Parks include Earl Cook Recreation Area, Rocky Point Recreation Area and Yellowjacket Recreation Area. Each location has two host sites. During the winter, only one host site at each park is filled. During the summer, both host sites are filled.

Positions in the Day-Use Parks have a flexible time schedule during the winter season. Volunteers act both as Winter Sitters as well as performing other tasks in surrounding Day-Use Parks. During the summer recreation season, Park Hosts in Day-Use Parks rotate on a 4 day on/off schedule. Duties during the summer include assisting visitors with day-use fees, monitoring the park for vandalism and rule compliance, maintaining a life jacket loaner station and conducting water safety programs.

Positions for couplesare only available during the winter season in R. Shaefer Heard Campground as Park Host during the period of October - March. Two host sites are filled using volunteers and campground operations adjust to this change. Gatehouse hours are reduced from the summer months and half the campground is closed. Volunteers are trained on-site to perform basic gatehouse operations, work on a pre-determined rotation schedule and perform park inspections regularly.

Short-Term Opportunities

Short-term volunteer opportunities are available all year round for individuals or groups who are looking for one or two-day activities. Special Events such as Take a Warrior Fishing, Special Day for Special People and the West Point Lake Trash Cleanup Event are a few of the larger programs where sponsors, partnerships and volunteers are vital to keeping them going. Whether you want to pick up some shoreline trash, give rides on your pontoon boat or bass boat, help at a booth or join in by adding something new to the event, these activities are worth while for individuals or groups to get involved. Long-term volunteers already on the project are welcome to participate in these events.

Group Camping is available for Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and other organized groups who want to spend more than one day on a service project. Located in Amity Campground on sites #1-11, this area has been closed to the public in the campground to provide a safe area for groups to camp for free anytime during the year as projects become available. Activities must be scheduled in advance and approved by the Volunteer Coordinator.

Basic Requirements

Must submit a Volunteer Application

Must complete all required paperwork

Must undergo a background check

Must be at least 21 years of age or older for long-term positions without a guardian

Should be in good health, able to walk over a variety of surfaces, get in and out of a vehicle without issue and lift up to 20 lbs

Must work well with others and maintain communication with the Volunteer Coordinator

Must attend all required meetings and trainings

Village Description

The Volunteer Village is a new addition to the West Point Volunteer Program and is located in Amity Campground on sites #12-21. This area has been closed to the public and now serves as the main base for many volunteers all year long. Although many renovations to this area are being planned, all sites have already been transformed to have septic, 50 amp electric and water hookup.

Volunteers who stay in the Village area must work a minimum of 21 hours/week per campsite and are assigned different jobs every three weeks by the Volunteer Coordinator. A storage shed located in the camping loop provided volunteer with all the necessary equipment to perform tasks in assigned parks and/or campgrounds around the Lake. Amenities in the Village area include bathroom and shower facilities, laundry facilities, a boat ramp and all other amenities in Amity Campground during its operation period.

Volunteer Appearance

While performing various services, volunteers will be required to wear a volunteer uniform. The uniform will consist of a white, tan or red short or long sleeve cotton shirt with volunteer patch on the left arm, pants or knee long shorts, a red baseball hat with volunteer patch, and a volunteer name tag. The patches, baseball hat and name tag will be provided by USACE. Shirts and pants must be provided by the volunteer. Clothing is expected to be kept clean and in good repair so as to provide a positive image to our visitors.

Program Coordinator

The Volunteer Program is coordinated by a Corps of Engineers interpretive Park Ranger. The interpreter is responsible for the development and implementation of the program, training of volunteers, work assignments, scheduling and meeting reporting requirements. To contact the volunteer coordinator dial (706) 645-6113.

Volunteer Agreement Termination

All volunteers must abide by all state, local and federal policies. Both the Corps of Engineers and the volunteer must give two week notice before terminating a volunteer agreement.
For more information about the volunteer program at West Point Lake, please contact us at (706) 645-2937.